After seven games of fighting for every inch of ice and every goal scored, it's nice to get a break. I didn't get a chance to watch any of the Flyers/Sabers series, so I don't know if Philly's play was a lack of intensity or a lack of energy, but there was no doubt the Bruins were playing on another level. After seven games of fighting and scrapping, of having to play at their very best for 60 minutes or more every game, yesterday it looked like the Bruins didn't know any other way to play other then in 5th gear. As a fan it was quite a relief to not have to sit on the edge of my seat for three hours, I can only imagine how great it felt for the players.
The only danger going forward is to make sure we don't drop our level of play to our opponent. There were moments near the end of the game when the B's seemed to get a little sloppy and they can't let that happen. They can't start taking shifts off because the level of play isn't as intense, that's when you start blowing a 3 games to none lead. Julien's main goal needs to be keeping his players as focused and intense as they were the last seven games. The problem with facing a team like Montreal, a bitter rival with years of history behind them, in the first round is no series for the rest of the playoffs will carry the same emotion. It's up to the coach's to make sure this doesn't lead to a drop in play. It worked for one game in a huge way. Let's hope they can keep it up for three more.
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